Biggles in Mexico Page 8

  WHILE Nifty was making an effort to recover his composure Biggles turned to Ginger a face from which incredulity had not entirely faded.

  ‘So it was Ritzy, of all people,’ he breathed, in an undertone. ‘The possibility never entered my head.’

  ‘We were looking for someone with a motive,’ Ginger pointed out.

  ‘Ritzy had two reasons, although one could hardly call them sufficient motives for murder. Corny was playing a game that might have got them all into trouble, which was a chance they couldn’t afford to take in a place like this. Again, with Corny out of the way there would be one less to share the — er — money. No doubt Ritzy thought it was a safe bet. He must have heard the local gossip and gambled that José would be blamed for the shooting.’

  Biggles turned back to Nifty. ‘Do you believe Ritzy shot Cornelli?’

  There ain’t much doubt about that,’ answered Nifty, grimly. ‘I told you Jose saw him do it and they’ll take his word before Ritzy’s. Besides, that ain’t the only evidence. As far as I can make it out what happened this morning was this. The police chief from Hermosillo rolled up here on his monthly round. He had two men with him. They called to see Juan. He was telling them about the murder when José walked in and spilt the beans properly. The first we knew about this was when the chief, Juan, and the two other cops, walked into the villa all nice and matey like. The chief asks to see Ritzy’s gun. Said he was checking up on the number for the licence. Ritzy, suspecting nothing, ‘ands it over like a lamb. The next thing he knew the bracelets was on his wrists. Blimey! You ought to have seen his face.’

  ‘What make was his gun?’

  ‘I dunno the make but it was a thirty-eight automatic. One bullet had been fired. Juan had a thirty-eight bullet. Said it was the one that killed Corny. Same sort as was in Ritzy’s gun.’

  ‘That doesn’t look too good for Ritzy.’

  ‘If you arst me I’d say ‘e ‘asn’t a ‘ope. I’m in a nice mess now, I am.’

  ‘Why should you be worried?’

  ‘Why? What am I going to do? I’ve no money. Not a cent. I can’t get ‘ome and I can’t live on air.’

  ‘What about the car Ritzy’s been using? Who does that belong to?’

  ‘Belongs to all of us, I reckon. It was bought out of mutual funds.’

  ‘That should get you to the nearest British consulate — unless you’ve some reason for wishing to stay here.’

  Nifty thought for a moment. ‘I should still need money for petrol and oil, and grub while I was on the road.’

  ‘Couldn’t Ritzy help you?’

  ‘I dunno. Maybe he’s gone already.’

  ‘Gone where?’

  ‘They say he’ll have to go to Hermosillo for trial. There’s no court here. Strewth! What ‘ave I let myself in for?’

  ‘What about your friends who have just arrived in this car? Won’t they help you?’

  ‘I shouldn’t think so. Not when I tell ‘em the truth.’

  ‘What truth do you mean?’

  ‘They’ve come all the way from San Francisco to collect something and I don’t know where it is. Only Ritzy knows. Now I shall be lucky if I ever know. Even if they don’t ‘ang Ritzy he’s likely to be in the pen for years. I’ve told him a dozen times to get rid o’ that gun. What a mess he’s made o’ things — and he reckoned he was so smart.’

  ‘What are you going to tell your friends here? They’ll be down any minute now.’

  ‘I shall ‘ave to tell ‘em what’s happened. Can’t do nothing else.’

  ‘They’ll be annoyed.’

  ‘Mad, I reckon. It was all my fault, too.’

  ‘How was that?’

  ‘You remember last night we saw Corny go past with his guitar?’

  ‘Of course.’

  ‘I went ‘ome and told Ritzy. I should have kept my trap shut.’

  ‘It made him angry,’ prompted Biggles.

  ‘He flew in a temper. Said he’d had enough of Corny chucking ‘is weight about and off he went.’

  ‘Maybe he had another reason for knocking off Corny,’ suggested Biggles, evenly.

  Nifty looked startled. ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘With only two of you to share it your money would have split two ways instead of three.’

  ‘What money?’ inquired Nifty, shrewdly, his eyes on Biggles’ face.

  Biggles shrugged. ‘Well, you told me yourself Ritzy kept the pay-roll.’

  ‘That’s right. So I did,’ admitted Nifty.

  Further conversation on these lines was prevented by the arrival on the scene of Schultz and his companions.

  ‘Can any of you gentlemen direct me to a villa of the name Los Palmeras?’ he asked.

  Nifty threw Biggles a glance of resignation. ‘I can show you the way,’ he told Schultz in a melancholy voice. ‘But if it’s Brabinsky you’re looking for it ain’t no use you going there,’ he added.

  ‘Why not?’ asked Schultz, sharply.

  ‘He ain’t there.’

  ‘Do you know where I could find him?’

  ‘I know where he is but I doubt they’ll let you see him.’

  ‘Where is he?’

  ‘In gaol.’

  ‘In prison! For what?’ Schultz looked alarmed.

  ‘Murder.’

  ‘Murder!’

  ‘He shot a man last night.’

  Schultz looked taken aback — not without reason, thought Ginger.

  ‘Has he gone out of his mind?’

  ‘He’s likely to now, if he ain’t already.’

  Schultz’s eyes narrowed. ‘Are you one of his friends?’

  ‘You can call it that if you like.’

  ‘There’s another. Where is he?’

  ‘He’s the man Brabinsky shot.’

  ‘Let us go to the house and you can tell us exactly what has happened,’ said Schultz, stiffly. ‘We’ll go in my car.’

  Nifty rose wearily to his feet. ‘Just as you like.’

  All four men went off in the car. Ginger noticed that one of the escort was still carrying the portfolio.

  ‘This has dropped the wrench in the gears, good and proper,’ muttered Biggles. ‘The question is now, what will Schultz do when Nifty tells him Ritzy hid the stones and he doesn’t know where they are? He’ll have to tell him. It looks as if Schultz is likely to stay here longer than he expected. At least, I imagine he won’t merely turn round and go back to the States without the things he came for. If it comes to that we might as well go home ourselves.’

  Ginger looked surprised. ‘Go home?’

  ‘It’s hard to see what we can do here so there’s really no point in staying. Ritzy, the only man who knows where the diamonds are, is in prison, and whether he’s found guilty or not he’s likely to be there for some time. Corny’s dead. Nifty has no money. What else can he do but try to work his way home? For once the problem seems to have sorted itself out for us. The important thing is, Schultz won’t get the stones. They may stay for years where Ritzy hid them. If they hang him they’ll never be found. If he does a stretch in prison they’ll deport him when he’s released.’

  ‘If Schultz gets to see Ritzy he may learn where the stones are hidden.’

  ‘Why should Ritzy tell him? He can’t receive money while he’s in gaol.’

  ‘Ritzy might tell Nifty.’

  ‘Knowing that Nifty would push off with the stones, or sell them to Schultz and keep the money? Not on your life. There’s no honour among thieves. They don’t trust each other a yard.’

  ‘All right. Now tell me this. How are we going to get back to the States?’

  Biggles was thinking. ‘Nifty needs money badly—’ he began.

  ‘Schultz may give him some,’ cut in Ginger.

  ‘Not a hope. Why should he give him money? I’ve an idea. If I can get Nifty alone I’ll suggest we buy Ritzy’s car off him for ready cash. That would answer our transport problem.’

  ‘He’ll probably say he wants the car himself, to get
away.’

  ‘He has no money for petrol. He said so. The car’s no use to him. If he should raise that argument we could offer to take him along with us when we leave here for good. Whether he stays with us or leaves us he’ll be arrested if ever he lands in England. Let’s walk along to the villa and see what’s happening there, anyway.’

  They had no difficulty in finding Los Palmeras, for it was only about a quarter of a mile and, as they had been told, the name was on one of the two white gateposts. The gate itself, of rusty iron, had broken from its support and had been dragged carelessly on what may once have been a garden but was now an overgrown tangle of flowers and shrubs run wild. As they walked up the short drive, which had been kept reasonably clear by the car, they could hear voices raised in argument.

  The villa itself was of the usual whitewashed adobe construction and stood no more than twenty yards from the road. The door was open, also the windows, presumably to catch what little air there was moving. The Cadillac had drawn up on the road. Ritzy’s Overland stood on the drive close to the front door.

  Biggles walked on slowly, looking about him like a man who is on strange ground, as indeed he was; but as soon as he was close enough to hear what was being said inside the house he stopped.

  ‘It’s no use blaming me,’ Nifty was protesting sullenly. ‘I tell you I don’t know where he’s put the stuff. You ought to ‘ave got ‘ere sooner. Watcher been doin’ all this time?’

  ‘I have told you the trouble we have had. What made you choose a place like this?’ growled Schultz. ‘We have been all over Mexico looking for it.’

  ‘Ritzy was only trying to keep ‘andy.’

  ‘You understand we have had all this trouble for nothing?’

  ‘You’ve had trouble! What about me?’ complained Nifty, bitterly. ‘You’re all right. You can go back to the States. But what am I going to do?’

  ‘What you do is of no importance to me,’ stated Schultz, bluntly. ‘See Brabinsky and get him to tell you what we all want to know.’

  ‘He won’t tell me nothin’. Why don’t you see ‘im yerself? Maybe he’ll tell you.’

  ‘I shall see what can be done,’ said Schultz, in his thick guttural voice.

  Ginger’s eyes caught a movement on his right. Standing behind a bush, watching them, not ten yards away, was one of Schultz’s guards. Seeing that he was observed the man walked slowly forward, a hand in a side pocket. His face was expressionless but his eyes were dark with suspicion.

  ‘What do you here?’ he asked, speaking in English.

  ‘We’ve come to see Mr Brimshawe,’ answered Biggles, casually. ‘Hearing that he was engaged we were waiting for his visitor to go.’

  ‘About what do you wish to see him?’

  ‘It occurred to us that he might be willing to sell his car, or lend it to us. We’re stuck here with a serious breakdown, you know.’

  After a short pause the man said, ‘It is no use waiting. He will be some time.’

  ‘In that case would you be so good as to give him a message?’

  ‘What is it?’

  ‘Tell him that when he has a free moment I’d like to see him. He’ll find me at the hotel.’

  ‘I will tell him,’ replied the man, unsmilingly.

  ‘Thank you.’ Biggles turned and walked back down the drive to the road, and then on towards the inn.

  ‘He was suspicious,’ said Ginger.

  ‘Of course he was. He’s never anything but suspicious. That obviously is part of his job. But the reason I gave for being there was a perfectly natural one. As I expected they’re talking the matter over, each blaming the other for what has happened. Schultz hasn’t made up his mind what to do about it.’

  ‘I don’t see there’s much he can do.’

  ‘With his sort you can never tell. He won’t give up easily. And remember, he has a lot of money on him, or so I suppose, and with money you can do a lot.’

  They reached the hotel and sank into their usual chairs on the patio.

  The day wore on. Evening came. There was no sign of Nifty.

  ‘They won’t want him to talk to anyone,’ said Biggles. ‘In his present mood he might say too much.’

  ‘This is a bit of a bind,’ grumbled Ginger. ‘Just sitting here doing nothing.’

  ‘Tell me what else we can do,’ returned Biggles. ‘All we can do is rest on our oars and leave it to Schultz to make the next move. It’s no use trying to guess what that will be. He’s up to something or he’d be back here by now. He can’t be nattering with Nifty all this time.’

  Night had closed in, and they were again on the patio after their evening meal when Nifty, moving with the stealth of a burglar, appeared.

  ‘Is it all right to talk?’ he whispered.

  ‘There’s no one here, if that’s what you mean,’ Biggles assured him.

  ‘Were you looking for me?’

  ‘Yes. Did you get my message?’

  ‘No. I didn’t get no message but I saw you in the garden, through the window, and thought maybe you’d got something you wanted to tell me.’

  ‘Where are your friends? Or are they friends? You seem to be scared of them.’

  ‘You’d be scared if you knew as much about ‘em as I know,’ said Nifty, with surprising frankness. ‘You be careful what you’re up to. They’re as healthy to have around as a bunch o’ rattlesnakes.’

  ‘Where are they?’

  ‘Gone to Hermosillo to try to get in touch with Ritzy.’

  ‘With what object?’

  ‘I dunno. What did you want to see me about?’

  ‘You’ve got a car. Who does it actually belong to?’

  ‘I told you. To all of us, I reckon, till Corny got his chips. We all put money towards it. Why?’

  ‘Would you care to sell it to us? You know how we’re fixed.’

  ‘I may want it myself. How am I going to get away from this stinking ‘ole without a car?’

  ‘We could give you a lift. We have at least got plenty of money for petrol and oil. It’s not much use to you, fixed as you are.’

  Nifty considered the proposition. ‘There might be something in that,’ he conceded. ‘By the way, I’d better tell you before I forget. That cove who spotted you in the garden came in after you’d gone and told Schultz —’

  ‘Who’s Schultz?’ inquired Biggles, feigning ignorance.

  ‘He’s the boss of this gang what’s just rolled up. He asked me if I knew you. I said I’d only met you here. He asked me what your name was. When I said Bigglesworth he went sort o’ stiff and made a face as if he knew something about you.’

  ‘Maybe, like Ritzy, he’d heard of a Bigglesworth at Scotland Yard,’ suggested Biggles, carelessly.

  ‘Ah. That could be it.’

  ‘What about the car?’ prompted Biggles.

  ‘Well, I couldn’t leave ‘ere just yet.’

  ‘Why not?’

  ‘Juan says I’d better stay ‘ere in case I’m wanted as a witness in this business of Ritzy’s. Anyhow, I’d better hang about to see if Schultz can do anything for Ritzy.’

  ‘What can he do?’

  ‘There was some talk of getting the best lawyer in Mexico to defend him. Schultz has plenty of dough.’

  ‘Why should he be so anxious to help Ritzy?’

  ‘Between you and me Ritzy’s got something he wants. But I’d better be gettin’ back to the villa in case —’

  ‘Just a minute,’ broke in Biggles. ‘You say you’re short of money. Whatever is decided about Ritzy will take time, so it looks as if you’re likely to starve. I’ll tell you what I’ll do. If you don’t feel like selling the car I’ll give you two hundred dollars for the use of it for two or three days. That should see you all right.’

  ‘What use would that be to you?’

  ‘My friend here could slip up to Los Angeles and get the spare part we need for our Studebaker. He’d come straight back so your car should be here by the time you’re likely to need it. Ritzy
need know nothing about it.’

  Nifty was obviously tempted. ‘If ‘e did find out there’d be a row. He doesn’t like anyone using the car except ‘imself.’

  ‘If we could get our car going you would still have your car and two hundred dollars in your pocket for expenses,’ urged Biggles. ‘This is no sort of place to be stuck without money.’

  ‘You’re telling me.’

  ‘And remember, you living with Ritzy there’s always a chance that the police might rope you in as an accessory in the Cornelli shooting business. If you don’t like it here you’ll like it less in a Mexican gaol.’

  That did it. ‘Okay,’ decided Nifty. ‘When does your friend want to start?’

  ‘The sooner he goes the quicker he’ll be back. He could start right away.’

  ‘Will he come and fetch it or shall I bring it ‘ere?’

  ‘You go and fetch it. While you’re away I’ll walk over the road to Lorenzo and make ready to fill up with oil and petrol.’

  ‘What about the two hundred bucks?’

  ‘I’ll give it to you when you bring the car. Don’t be long.’

  ‘Righto.’ Nifty strode away into the darkness.

  ‘I don’t like that hint that Schultz may know who you are,’ said Ginger, anxiously.

  ‘Never mind about that,’ answered Biggles. ‘If Schultz gets the information he wants from Ritzy, or gets him out on bail or something of that sort, things will look serious. Once Schultz gets his hands on those stones we shan’t see him for dust. He’ll make for the States, and our only chance then would be to get there before him. That’s why we must have a car.’

  ‘What exactly do you want me to do?’

  ‘It’s quite straightforward. As soon as you’re across the border get to a phone and call Algy at his hotel in San Francisco. Tell him what has happened here and ask him to let the Air Commodore know how things stand. He must be wondering what’s happened. Buy a new clutch and bring it back here. You may have to go as far as Los Angeles for one. In that case Algy and Bertie might step on a plane and slip down to see you. But don’t hang about too long. Get back here as quickly as you can. Is that all clear?’

  ‘There shouldn’t be any difficulty about that,’ said Ginger, confidently.

  ‘Here’s Nifty with the car,’ went on Biggles, as they walked across the road to the petrol store. He waved to Nifty to let him see where they were and the car came to stop outside the house.